Why leave it up to the"experts" (i.e., the media) to portray physics accurately and positively? Speak for yourself, without the need for a translator who may "or may not" get it right. As a scientist, you can talk about what your work means and why it's important with an authority that a science writer doesn't bring to the table. While we can't all be Brian Greene, you can have control over how your work, and physics in general, is presented to the public. In this talk, I'll share some best practices of science communication, gleaned during my time as a science reporter at NPR and elsewhere. These simple tips can take a lifetime to master, but can help you get your message across, to the public, the media, and even Aunt Mabel.

Footnotes:

See Dr. Chasteen's popular publications and podcasts at http://sciencegeekgirl.com/publications.html. More tips on communication at http://communicatingscience.aaas.org.